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Valley Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa sonorina

The Valley Carpenter Bee is a big, fuzzy bee that loves to buzz around flowers. They are great at helping plants grow by spreading pollen as they visit flowers.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Valley Carpenter Bee is a large, robust bee with a striking appearance. Females are entirely glossy black, while males are covered in golden-orange fuzz and possess distinctive green eyes. This sexual dimorphism makes them visually unique among bees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusXylocopa
Valley Carpenter Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Valley Carpenter Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Male Valley Carpenter Bees are often called 'blonde bees' and cannot sting!

These bees are very important 'generalist' pollinators, visiting a huge variety of different plants!

They have a super long tongue called a proboscis to sip nectar from deep inside flowers!

They prefer to nest in untreated wood like old fence posts or tree stumps, not your house!

Special abilities

Ability

Wood Architect

Valley Carpenter Bee can bore perfect tunnels into dead wood because of its powerful mandibles, creating safe nests.

Ability

Buzz Pollinator

Valley Carpenter Bee has the ability to vibrate its flight muscles rapidly to shake pollen from certain flowers, helping them reproduce.

Ability

Pollination Powerhouse

Valley Carpenter Bee has a large, hairy body that efficiently collects and transfers pollen, helping many plants create seeds.

Ability

Gender Chameleon

Valley Carpenter Bee males are fuzzy and golden with green eyes, while females are shiny black, helping them recognize mates.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-40 mm
Size
20-25 mm
Lifespan
250-400 days
Flight Speed
18 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1

Diet & Feeding

These bees drink flower nectar for energy and collect pollen for their young to grow big and strong!

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Western Redbud

Cercis occidentalis

Helps this tree produce seeds by transferring pollen.

pollinates

White Sage

Salvia apiana

An important pollinator for this aromatic shrub.

pollinates

Arroyo Lupine

Lupinus succulentus

Visits these vibrant flowers, aiding their reproduction.

eaten by

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

Adult bees can be prey for these insectivorous birds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay calm if you see a bee; they usually just want to collect pollen and won't bother you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Valley Carpenter Bee's wingspan?

30-40 mm

How big is Valley Carpenter Bee?

20-25 mm

How long does Valley Carpenter Bee live?

250-400 days

How fast can Valley Carpenter Bee fly?

18 km/h

What does Valley Carpenter Bee eat?

These bees drink flower nectar for energy and collect pollen for their young to grow big and strong!

Where is Valley Carpenter Bee usually found?

Urban areas

How does Valley Carpenter Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Valley Carpenter Bee have?

6

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